If Jon Jones wants to erase his 2009 โlossโ to Matt Hamill, the best way is in the cage. โThe Hammerโ was subject to several โ12-6 elbowsโ, as referee Steve Mazzagatti disqualified โBonesโ at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finale back in 2009. A โ12-6 elbowโ means a โstraight up straight down elbow strikeโ to a ground opponent, per MMA Unified Rules.
Back when Jon Jones infamously took the only loss of his career, it was illegal. Some 15 years later, MMA Unified Rules have changed a lot. CSAC executive officer Andy Foster recently said an ABC rules committee unanimously lifted the ban. With the controversial move gaining traction from the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, Jones can appeal to overcorrect his undefeated record. Matt Hamill is all here for it.
Letโs cut this chaseโฆ @danawhite – I know youโre desperate to get @jonnybones an undefeated record. I see how you want to profit from that! Is also why you bail him out of all the other thingsโฆHow about a rematch?
Matt Hamill via IG (@hammerhamill)
Downward elbows were in fact illegal 15 years ago when Jones used them on Hamill. So, the DQ holds in the eyes of the commissions. Foster said the lift on the โ12-6 elbowsโ ban will go into effect in November for newer fights. Meanwhile, if Team Jacksonโs MMA Acoma prize fighter wants it โ Hamill is ready.
12-8-0 on the stats, Hamill, 47, ended his active career with a split decision win at Maverick MMA 6 in 2018. Before Jonesโ oncoming title fight against Thiago Santos at UFC 239, Dana White and Co. were trying to reverse the DQ, with NSAC saying otherwise. Recent times, though, have seen White go hell-bent on maintaining Jonesโ legacy and P4P status. Matt Hamill takes those opportune instances to get Jones to save face.
Matt Hamill wants to be the official backup for UFC 309 (if and when)
If โBonesโ is out to change his DQ, Matt Hamill, who has been out of the sport for over six years, is the man to see. Thatโs not really narrowing it down. Many people want a piece of the G.O.A.T. yet. But โHammerโ showed extreme gusto to give the opponent his chance to right the wrong.
Even though White petitioned the NSAC to have the loss overturned, Jones underwent some high-profile testing pool failures at UFC 200 and UFC 214. Hence, he could not return when Hamill demanded a 205-pound rematch with the โroided assailantโ to settle it the right way. Now, thereโs no need to pester the NSAC anymore. And despite retirement, Hamill wants in.
How about a rematch?! Iโll be happy to fight him for a heavyweight title. If I beat him, I want a UFC belt. Let me know if Stipe Miocic backs out. Iโll take short notice, just remember: he already lost to me!
Matt Hamill cointinued ( via IG post; (@hammerhamill) )
Jon Jones went on the shelf with surgery last year. After a pectoral tear and a subsequent elbow surgery, he expects to face Stipe Miocic inย UFC 309โs pay-per-view top billย this November. It marks the promotionโs blockbuster return to the Madison Square Gardens Arena, New York City, NY. Hamill wants to be a backup in case Miocic pulls out and proves his win wasnโt fluff.
Whatโs one legacy return clash for another? To him โ everything. Back when he failed his testing pool, Jones recused himself, saying he was blindsided by Hamill reaching for his five minutes of fame with a matchup demand. Now, though, will he accept at the tail-end of his performative years and hunting a legacy end? Maybe not. Thereโs quite a โBoneโ to pick here.